The Lions are pressing ahead with preparations for next year’s Vodacom Super 14.

The franchise, formerly known as the Cats, has named a shortlist of possible coaches for next season’s campaign, despite the Cape High Court’s ruling that the Spears must take part in the 2007 and 2008 competitions.

As the lowest-ranked South African side in this year’s Super 14, the Lions are expected to lose their place in the Sanzar showpiece.

Golden Lions coach Eugene Eloff is the frontrunner to take over the Lions next year (if they do play ahead of the Spears), thanks to his side’s amazing turnaround in the Absa Currie Cup thathas given them an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Strangely, Spears and SA U21 coach Peter de Villiers is also in contention, as is Rudy Joubert (who narrowly lost out on the Bok job to Rudolf Straeuli) and Leopards coach Jacques Swanepoel.

Swanepoel’s name is on the list because the Lions franchise also comprises the Pumas and Leopards unions. Expect both of those provinces to have someone on the coaching staff as assistants.

The coach will be chosen by a special committee set up by the GLRU. The committee is made up of Dawie Snyman (former Bok flyhalf and WP and Lions coach), Kobus Wiese (former Bok lock), Freek Burger (ex-referee), Francois Davids (national selector), Jannie Ferreira (Lions chairman), Manie Reyneke (deputy Lions chairman), Eugene Hare (Leopards), and Nico Swartz (Pumas).